Columnists
Fr Paddy – Reflect on the past, focus on the future
As we continue to make early footprints into 2024, already we see signs of brighter evenings and earlier mornings.
The small stretch, offers hope, early...
Fr Paddy – Happy New Year 2024
I pray that 2024, will be a blessed and healthy one for us all.
Every New Year brings with its expectation, uncertainty, hope and a...
Fr Paddy – Christmas is all about gratitude
I recently heard a funny little story of a mother who complained one day to her own mother that it was getting harder and...
Fr Paddy – Visiting the crib
I love visiting the cribs in various churches this time of year. Many of you, have by now placed your crib, in a sacred...
John Whelan: A fond farewell for Shane, a folk hero like no other from...
It was a rainy night in Dublin. We spilled out onto Dame Street.
Oblivious of the spills of rain and spray from the passing...
Fr Paddy: Ireland’s lonely
An Irish pub's Christmas video of a lonely, old man has left people in tears.
Viewers were "bawling” after watching the heart-wrenching video for Charlie's...
Fr Paddy – Waiting for the Christ-Child
Christmas seems to come earlier every year. Already we are well accustomed to Christmas songs, selection boxes have been on sale in our supermarkets...
Fr Paddy: ‘Grant me the serenity to accept the people and situations I cannot...
It’s so easy to feel resentful that others are not as we would want them to be. We want them to change but can...
Fr Paddy – The Gift of Kindness
There is story in the Gospel about a leper coming to Jesus on his knees and pleading with him, saying, ‘If you want to,...
Fr Paddy: Winter darkness can weigh heavily on our mood and energy
It's hard to believe that this time, three years ago, we were in the heart of a national lockdown.
The second lockdown was harder than...
From the Archives – Pat Critchley: Remembering the Portlaoise Fire Brigade from back in...
This piece by Pat Critchley was originally published in his book Hungry Hill and later on LaoisToday in July 2017
The members of the Fire...
Fr Paddy: Remembering loved ones gone before us
This week we begin the new month of November. Traditionally this is the time of year, in the Christian liturgical calendar, when we remember...
Fr Paddy – Round Tables
The universal Synod continues throughout this month of October in Rome.
I find it refreshing, following the proceedings, with images of women and men actively...
Fr Paddy: Reflections from Asia
Recently, I enjoyed the enormous privilege, visiting Asia, for the first time. It was a wonderful and unique experience, to engage in a very...
Fr Paddy – St Francis … an iconic saint
Throughout this month of October, a universal Synod of the church, takes place in Rome.
This is a historic moment, where discernment, reflection and pragmatic...
Fr Paddy – Story of a Soul
This year seems to be flying by. It's hard to believe that we are now beginning the month of October.
I pray, this new month...
Fr Paddy – Keep life simple
Once upon a time there was a businessman who was sitting on the beach in a small Italian village.
As he sat, taking a brief...
Fr Paddy: The season of creation
Recent Harvest Thanksgiving Masses, in our local churches, have been a source of deep inspiration.
The colour, fragrance, coupled with creativity and gratitude, offered hope...
Fr Paddy – Never Give Up
This month of September, has begun with bright, warm sunshine. We all respond positively to light and warmth, its energy helps us to grow...
Fr Paddy – September, a time to harvest
Imagine that you had to employ a gardener. You ask around among your friends and neighbours, and eventually you hear of two gardeners who...
Fr Paddy: The importance of building solid foundations
This was a major week, for over 60,000 students who received their Leaving Certificate results.
Sincere best wishes to all students, who soon begin...
Fr Paddy – Be kind to your mind
I remember being very moved by Brendan O'Connor’s interview with Brent Pope some time ago.
Brent spoke of his reflective time during the lockdown. He...
Fr Paddy – Room in the church for everyone
At 86, Pope Francis, is the oldest Pontiff in over 120 years.
Last June, he underwent serious surgery and has made a remarkable recovery.
His words...
Fr Paddy – When will the Sun come out to shine?
As I write this article, I look out and wonder when the sun will come out.
July has been the wettest month ever recorded on...
Fr Paddy – The Month of August
This week we begin the month of August, traditionally the harvest season. Weather has been a huge focus on conversation and contemplation in recent...
Fr Paddy – The Cost of ‘Stars’
Every institution needs to be accountable, transparent and discerning.
We have lived through the consequences of poor governance and its drastic consequences from church to...
Fr Paddy – Sitting in Silence
From the crowded city streets to the busy town hall square, from the local village community to the crofter’s moorland cottage we find human...
Leaving Cert Diary: The exams are over – ‘Home is behind, the world is...
Orlaith Miller WAS a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise. From Vicarstown and a past pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally,...
Fr Paddy: Summer tales of wisdom
How do you handle adversity? What are you thinking when the sun goes down on those cold, windy nights, when you're trying to get...
Fr Paddy: Dorothy Day … An inspirational lady
Recently, Cardinal Dolan of New York celebrated Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral to mark the end of the diocesan phase of the cause for...
